“Let’s sit together, admit mistakes and move forward”: Gandapur calls for dialogue

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday urged state institutions to engage in dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but also emphasised the need for them to accept responsibility for their actions. 

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore alongside PTI leaders from Punjab, Gandapur stated, “We must reform our institutions ourselves. Let’s sit together, admit our mistakes, and move forward.” 

He was joined by PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, and MNA Latif Khosa.

Reiterating his call, Gandapur said it was a shared obligation to consider Pakistan’s future and urged state actors to acknowledge and rectify their missteps.

He criticized certain state institutions for allegedly overstepping their constitutional roles, accusing them of interfering in political affairs such as the formation and dissolution of governments. 

“They claim to be apolitical, yet they are deeply involved,” he remarked. 

He lamented that the actions of a few individuals had tarnished the image of the military.

Gandapur said that constitutional responsibilities had been sidelined, leading to a surge in terrorism, especially in KP and Balochistan. He argued that instead of focusing on their core duties, security forces had been diverted to pursue political vendettas against PTI.

The chief minister also took a jab at those behind past martial laws, saying they had disappeared from the country, leaving ordinary Pakistanis to deal with the consequences.

Calling for a reasoned dialogue, Gandapur said he was willing to face strict consequences if found guilty of any conspiracy. However, he stressed that accountability must be across the board. “If we are to be punished, then so should all those responsible.”

When asked whether PTI was willing to talk to the military or political leaders, he said the decision rested with party founder Imran Khan, who has maintained that talks should be held with actual power-brokers, though including government representatives wasn’t out of the question.

He concluded by urging those who he said were benefiting from and controlling the current system to come to the table, warning that they are accountable for the country’s economic decline and rising insecurity.